Rachio Smart Hose Timer (1 Valve + 1 WiFi Hub) – App-Controlled Outdoor Faucet Timer, Quick Install & Scheduling, Expandable System

We have used these smart hose timers and Wi-Fi hub for so many purposes and love how simple and easy it is to use! Now we can’t imagine not having them! Important Note: you must buy the set with the Wi-Fi hub if it is your first time buying to get the full functionality! After that, you can just buy the smart hose timer and connect multiple smart hose timers to the same hub. We primarily got the smart hose timer and Wi-Fi hub because we have a hose bib installed in a place that is hard to reach. This smart hose timer allows us to do a “quick run” on the app and turn on the water from our phones without having to hop a fence. While we rely primarily on the app to turn on water, you are also able to push a button on the smart hose timer to turn on without using the app/wifi. Tip: if you have an iPhone, you are able to make a Quick Run shortcut. We’ve also used this to create schedules for watering new plants without having to run our larger irrigation systems (controlled by a Rachio controller so it’s all in the same easy to use app!). We put a small sprinkler at the end of a hose and used the app to create a schedule to water a new patch of sod without running the larger sprinkler system. We also have used it to create a schedule to water a newly planted tree without having to run the entire drip system and risk overwatering other plants. The app has so many options to customize watering schedules, including the ability to have it skip a run if rain is forecasted. Our smart hose timers have been sitting outside in the afternoon sun for almost 2 months and function well with no signs of sun or heat damage. The battery life is excellent and will last at least the entire growing season, probably longer. All you need is 2 AA batteries for each smart hose timer. We haven’t had any issues with water entering the battery compartment. The Wi-Fi hub plugs into an outlet indoors. We have ours plugged in the basement utility room near the Wi-Fi router and haven’t had any connection problems, but I’m sure this depends a lot on Wi-Fi quality. Overall, we highly recommend!

This Rachio hose timer is such a great upgrade for my yard! Setup was quick, and the app makes it super easy to control watering from anywhere. The connection is reliable, and I love being able to schedule watering times right from my phone. It’s perfect for keeping plants healthy without wasting water. Great quality and worth every penny!

I saw several rave reviews for these smart hubs, and ordered 5 of them with hubs on 27 Sep through Amazon. Finally, more than two weeks later, I received them today. I started reading through the installation pamphlet, and downloaded and installed the app. Then I had a sinking feeling of impending doom when I saw that one of the first instructions states what to do when the hub won't flash yellow, and your easy fix is to send a replacement, pretty much assuring me that you've had a lot of failures. Sure enough, the first one out of the box had a nonfunctioning hub. When fully plugged into the hub, the cord flops around like a dying fish, and it has never yet even had the starting blue light after many many tries, now after using two different power cords. It doesn't look like a problem with the cord, as the app suggested, but in the female receptors in the hubs themselves. I opened a second box, figuring all I really need is one hub, and found the cord attachment is just as floppy as the first. However, if put in a certain position, the blue light turns on with this one, followed by the yellow. But then it disconnects when I turn it over to scan the code. So, 0 for 2. And then, after all that, I get informed that it won't connect to any local networks, and stated it couldn't use 5G (really, in 2024?). It didn't clearly tell me the problem was it needed permission for precise location, but I opened the permission in my preferences and the app found our network. Great, except of course, the hub will not connect because of the pathetic connector. So after multiple roadblocks and batting 0 for 2 on the hubs, I have two empty boxes and two non-functioning smart controllers. I haven't even bothered opening the other three, figuring the odds are exceedingly small that they will be any better. Something related to the definition of stupidity. So I bit and sent for the replacement power cord, which means probably another two week delay, I'm betting. Given that the problem seems to be in the hubs, not in the cords, it seems likely this will fail as well. I'm considering just stuffing them back into the boxes and take them straight to the return box at Staples, but I really want these to work. So, I would give a 0 if I could. If the company steps up and provides a hub that actually works, it might pull out a 3.

I wanted remotely-controllable compact valves, and these Rachio models fit the bill perfectly. Two of them control irrigation, the other is for a hose (typically to be able to top up a pool if we're away). They have very pleasing build quality and clear instructions. Interestingly, not much is said in the product description about these being Alexa-compatible, which for me was a big deal. Although the Rachio app appears to be good, with many scheduling options, I already use Alexa for controlling landscape and pool lights, so I like that I can set up watering schedules with Alexa or just ask Alexa to water the yard or raised bed. All you need to do is install the Rachio hose valve skill for Alexa. Tip: the commands to control these via Alexa are a little clunky, so set up an Alexa routine instead. So I just say, "Alexa water the yard" and that routine turns the relevant valve on. Of course you can turn them on and off manually too via the little blue button on the front. I'm very happy with these - exactly what I was hoping for. [UPDATE 2sept25] I still love these valves, but I did have a problem with one - the seal around the battery compartment door failed so water got in and corroded everything including the batteries (see pic). It looks like the batteries leaked, but they didn't, it was just water ingress. It took quite some cleaning out and repair of the contacts. I made a replacement seal with some thin sticky-back foam rubber. All works fine again, but I'll check all the valves occasionally just in case it happens again.

If you are looking for the simplest and smartest hose timer on the market, this is it! Super easy to set up, but even easier to control ongoing. The software brings in weather data and monitors, so it doesn't overwater my yard—which is a great feature because I don't have to worry about the timer settings while traveling or ever at all. If I need to add a cycle, that's easy, and it even makes it easy to run an impromptu watering, or if I just need to override it and have it run (sometimes I will use the same hose for a power washer for washing my car). I have two valves currently, and plan to add more in the future. Overall, its a bit on the pricey side to get started, but worth it. Simple, easy, controllable from anywhere. It even has water usage/flow functionality, I just haven't dug into that yet. Overall, a great timer, very happy I purchased it, and it is working much better than some less expensive options that I've used in the past.

Using a WiFi hub & Smart Valve to Automate watering of my flower beds. *Unpacking* Purchased here so unit arrived in an Amazon box with the Rachio box inside. Unit was well packaged in recyclable cardboard with no annoying plastic packaging. *Commissioning* Downloaded App via the barcode supplied with the unit. Attempted to pair everything up to my WiFi. Out of the box both the WiFi Hub and the Valve required Firmware updates. Hub had some issues with first attempt, but ultimately succeeded. BEWARE this takes longer than you think it should.... I don't recall the full duration, but I want to say combined upwards of 15 minutes. *Operation* Once everything was paired & FW was updated, the app was straightforward to use and the valve seems to work perfectly. Scheduling is easy and On-Demand runs are also simple to perform. WiFi Hub seems to have some issues staying connected to the valve. I see it switch into purple flash mode quite often, but it always seems to recover on its own. The Auto Skip for rainy days seems to work well, It has skipped multiple times due to rain and seems to have a good handle on actual weather. I can't speak to battery life as I've only had it in service for a few weeks. *Overall* Would purchase again, and may do so for an additional zone using the same Hub.

I have a garden that is nearly 100 feet from my nearest spigot. I also have a yard full of flowers that I water daily. I would make, literally, 10-20 laps to and from my spigot day to turn off/on my hose. Not that I'm lazy, but it's just a lot of unnecessary overhead. So, i downloaded the app that comes with the Rachio Smart Hose Timer. I now just grab my phone wherever I am in the yard, pop up the very intuitive app and turn my hose off and on from where I am not where I need to walk 100 feet to. Obviously the timer functions are great for a garden. My comes on at 5am every day. The integrated weather feature that cancels the watering schedule for the day if there has been a recent rain is like gardening magic. Prob other things I could mention but just these couple have made the purchase (which I thought was a little steep) well worth it imo. I would have actually paid more for it knowing what it does now.

Our irrigation contractor installed a Rachio control timer that I could control from my phone. I loved it so much that I replaced our other (New) controller with another Rachio controller. Then, because we have a number of potted plants (about 20) that are sort of in limbo mode in our side yard, meaning we really aren't sure where to put them yet, I had been hand watering them every couple days. When we decided to go on vacation, I decided to buy a Rachio Hose timer and attach a temporary drip line for those pots and it worked/works great. The hose controller shows on my phone along with the other two controllers. I love how easy they are to set up, use and adjust if needed.